I've thought about accident forgiveness too, but isn't it usually an extra cost on your premium? Wondering if just setting aside that extra money each month might be smarter in the long run... Has anyone actually compared the numbers?
"Wondering if just setting aside that extra money each month might be smarter in the long run..."
I ran rough numbers last year, and honestly, unless you're accident-prone, setting cash aside usually works out better. But peace of mind counts for something too... depends how you drive, I guess.
Agree with you there, but a couple things to keep in mind:
- Accident forgiveness usually covers just your first at-fault accident. After that, you're back to square one.
- Even if you're careful, Ohio winters can be unpredictable—black ice, potholes, deer... stuff happens.
- If you're younger or have teen drivers on your policy, forgiveness might save you from a nasty rate hike.
Bottom line, it's a gamble either way, but personally I'd lean toward having it for the unknowns.
I've been driving in Ohio for over 20 years, and honestly, accident forgiveness always felt a bit gimmicky to me. But then my daughter started driving, and suddenly I saw the appeal... Teens + icy roads = recipe for insurance nightmares. Sure, it's just one accident covered, but sometimes that's all you need to dodge a nasty premium hike. Still skeptical overall, but I'd probably bite the bullet if young drivers are involved. Better safe than sorry, right?
- Had accident forgiveness once, saved my butt big time after a fender-bender on 71.
- Premium hikes are no joke, especially if you're already labeled "high-risk" (speaking from experience here...).
- Still, if you're a careful driver with a clean record, maybe not worth it.
